A Clinico-Pathologic Study of Basal Cell Carcinoma

Jang, Kyoung Ae; Choi, Jee Ho; Sung, Kyung Jeh; Moon, Kee Chan; Koh, Jai Kyoung

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Basal cell carcinomas(BCC) are seen almost on hair-bearing skin, especially on the face. There have been a few reports about BCC in Korea. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinico-pathological characteristics of BCC. METHODS: A total of 95 patients with BCC were enrolled in this study. The medical records and histopathological slides of BCC diagnosed at Asan Medical Center from 1989 to 1999 were reviewed. We classified our cases based on the predominant histopathological findings as follows; solid, adenoid, pigmented, superficial multicentric, clear cell, keratotic, morpheic, basosquamous, trichoblastoma-like, fibroepithelioma of Pinkus-like. RESULTS: 1. The male- female ratio was 1.1:1. The mean age at diagnosis was 64.8 years in male patients and 66.9 years in female patients. 2. The clinical diagnoses were BCC(76.8%), melanoma, actinic keratoses, seborrheic keratosis, and so on. 3. The face was the most preferred site, especially nose(41.2%). Solid, adenoid, keratotic, morpheic, and basosquamous types developed exclusively on the face, while superficial multicentric types did not show on the favored sites. 4. Pruritus of the lesion, easy bleeding, and rapid increment of the size were the main complaints. 5. Solid type was the most frequent type(30%). Three cases of BCC arising from organoid nevus were included. In two cases of organoid nevus-origin, fibrofolliculoma of Pinkus-like histopathological findings were noted. 3 cases were recurrent after laser therapy or simple curettage. 6. Ninety two cases were successfully treated with wide excision. One case was treated with radiation therapy, but the lesion persisted. The lesion was widely excised without recurrence. Systemic metastases were absent in our study.